4.5⭐️/ 5🌶️

Each and every book in this series has explored different couples, the found family dynamics, romance, spice, lots of humor, and a wonderful cast of characters at the helm of these books. For Jaxon Riley, he was use to playing on and off the ice, and living his way how he saw fit. Compared to his teammates and friends all being either married/engaged/ dating, Jaxon was now the only single guy in the group, but things started to shift when he went on vacation to Cabo and had a steamy session with, Lennon Hayes. Lennon needed a new change of scenery following her broken engagement with her ex-fiancé. As luck would have it, Lennon got hired to be the photographer for the Vancouver Vipers where…ahem…a certain someone was on that team, a.k.a. Jaxon. This story had, one night stand, a devoted cat daddy, found family, and workplace romance.

Jaxon had joined the Vancouver Vipers the year previously and yet, even as his teammates and now close friends welcomed him with open arms, he still felt like the odd one out since he was officially the only single guy left. From the previous books, we saw Jaxon have his fun hooking up with multiple women, living it up as a bachelor, and slowly but surely joining the guys as they all became good friends. Although with his recent trip to Cabo, in which it resulted in Jaxon meeting Lennon, and them having a hot one night stand together, you could imagine his surprise when he saw her walk into his workplace as the newest team photographer for the Vancouver Vipers. Jaxon was always used to being on his own, never settling in one place long enough to get comfortable and make friends, let alone a relationship, but with Lennon suddenly being in the same city as him, it seemed like Jaxon couldn’t keep his mind off her.

Lennon was a sassy, sharp, and strong woman, but even she had to deal with new changes after her ex-fiancé cheated on her the night of their wedding rehearsal. On what was supposed to be her honeymoon, Lennon took advantage of the trip to focus on herself, and ended up having a one night stand with Jaxon. Now, working in Vancouver as the Vancouver Viper’s newest team photographer and social media manager, Lennon was ready to dominate her new job, but she also found herself face to face with her one night stand, and one of the NHL players on the team, Jaxon. Right when Lennon and Jaxon were in close proximity from working in the same place and eventually having to live together (since Lennon’s apartment was flooded) it was evident that the two of them still held an attraction towards each other, and couldn’t help remembering all the steamy fun they had that night in Cabo. Aside from meeting the playboy hockey player, Lennon found herself making friends with Jaxon’s teammates and their significant others. Seeing Lennon becoming friends with everyone was really great because, one, Lennon had friends who genuinely cared about her wellbeing and two, she became part of the close family those friends had already formed a long time. Lennon’s ex was trash and for all the hurt he caused her, she got to be worshipped by a REAL MAN, CARED ABOUT HER HEALTH, AND HIS ADORABLE CAT LOVED HER! All in all, I would say that the best thing that ever happened to Lennon was moving to Vancouver and becoming Jaxon’s temporary roommate.

OK, BUT WHY DID THIS BOOK ALSO HAVE ME FEELING EMOTIONAL?! While this story had plenty of iconic and laughable moments, it was the vulnerability in Jaxon’s backstory that really had me in my feels! Jaxon was perceived as the tough guy/ playboy on and off the ice, but really he was just a man looking for his space within and believing he deserved to be loved. While I also appreciated the journey Lennon went on of rediscovering herself, seeing Jaxon truly embrace his friends and his new home as his forever home was a new concept to him that he gradually embraced. Jaxon always had one foot out the door, always expecting to either be traded to another team or even being forgotten by his friends and eventually Lennon, but that was the furthest thing from the truth. Lennon and the friend group truly showed how much they loved Jaxon by proving to him that they weren’t going anywhere and would always have his back. Jaxon always had the love and trust of his friends, but it was a long journey for him to finally accept he had found his home with all his friends and Lennon.

Another great book within the “Playing for Keeps” series, and Lennon and Jaxon’s story was fun, heartfelt, emotional, spicy, and again lots of fun! Seeing the rest of the friend group continue to grow and embrace Lennon as their newest family member was heartwarming and sweet. Aside from the close knit group these characters have formed over the course of this series, each one continues to show how much love and admiration there is for each other. If you love the found family trope, read this book! Lennon and Jaxon might have had a spicy one night stand in Cabo, but it was the beginning of forever of those two falling head over heels in love with each other. From becoming roommates, working on the same team, and becoming even more obsessed with Mitten’s cuteness, Lennon and Jaxon were perfect for each other. The ways Jaxon showed his love for Lennon started from the beginning with always buying her favorite pink tulips, taking her to see the Northern Lights, buying her a telescope, and making her an instruction manual to help her make lattes was just a few ways that was so endearing and romantic to me! This was another good story and one that I’m glad I finally got the chance to read! Let’s just say this book ended on quite a memorable moment in the epilogue! IYKYK! Highly recommend!